The process of starting research is a challenge in itself. The traditional approach has been to send a battery of identical emails to all faculty members in the department and hope at least one may feel enough pity to send a reply. Admittedly, this can be an effective method, but it is generally best to look at the specific research interests of each faculty member in the department and really narrow down the ones which you feel align most closely with your own. However, you may be surprised at what you can learn to become interested in, so never discount any specific area because it does not immediately sound appealing. Overall, when picking who to contact, start first with individuals who have recent and regular publications in areas you are interested in (a quick search on Google Scholar or PubMed is all it takes), then expand your reach after this initial query. Once you have decided who to contact, you must then understand what the life of typical faculty member is like. They are more busy than you can imagine and do not have the time to read long winded emails that require long-winded answers. Your first email will be to set up a meeting, and it is likely they have received dozens of similar emails over the years. To begin, state your name and year, state that you are interested in their field, and that you would like to meet soon. Make sure to provide your phone number. If you have previous research experience, you can mention this, but it is not necessary. For determining a date and time, it may be tempting to list weeks of open times you have and wait for a response, but the key here is to make the meeting feel like a real event that will actually happen and will fit into their schedule. On Epic, look up when they are in clinic/OR/on service to determine which times they would likely be less busy. Of course, they may have other obligations not listed, but it is certain they will not be able to meet during listed hospital/clinic duties. Offer to meet in-person or over Zoom. Paradoxically, it may be more effective to suggest a range of times which is sooner and more narrow than one which is more broad. Again, the goal is to make the meeting feel as if it will already happen, and presenting a long list of dates will make it feel more abstract. Moreover, if you already have just a few specific dates listed, all they will have to do is reply “yes” or “no”, rather than check which times match up with your schedule. With this all in mind, know that it is still possible you will not get a meeting and that some faculty really have neither the time nor the desire to meet. Never take this personally, and move on.

The number of issues can only increase after the project is begun. It is tempting to ask for help right away, and this may end up being the solution, but here are some suggestions for what to do first when you encounter some roadblock. If the issue is one of understanding, truly try to read relevant literature on your topic. Look in the citations of papers you have already read for review articles or introductions to the topic you are studying. Even if you do not find the answer, you will at least gain a better intuitive understanding of the topic (since you researched it yourself), and you will also have a more well-formed question, since you will likely have gained at least some knowledge. Most of all, never be afraid to look foolish, since the residents and faculty already understand you do not know everything. In fact, a well formed question shows that you are truly curious and are driven to learn more on the topic. If you encounter a technical issue, such as requiring access to certain software, first contact UK Healthcare IT Helpdesk, either through email (ukhcit.service@uky.edu), or phone (859-218-4357). They are generally very quick to respond, and even if the issue is not resolved, this again demonstrates your motivation to solve problems on your own. Another common issue is uncertainty on how to complete your part of the project. In other words, you have the means to proceed, but are unsure which way would be best. This can include not being sure of how to organize data, which parts need to be included or excluded, and how best to summarize findings. If you can ask a senior medical student or resident, do that first. If the faculty member is the only one who can answer the question, it is best to first carry out each possible solution to the problem you are facing so that no matter what their preference is, you already have the answer. In general, if you need to ask a question, the ranking of communication methods is as follows: In-person > Phone Call/Zoom > Text message > Email Of course, the availability of these methods varies, so use the advice above for how to effectively set up a meeting.

Unreasonable Expectations/Deadlines: Research is typically hard enough, but this can be worsened by a seemingly unreasonable workload or unexpected deadlines. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done once these things occur, so the best solution is prevention. Work early and finish things ahead of schedule so that if you receive more work or an earlier deadline, you will not be scrambling to finish your earlier work and can focus exclusively on the new work. Getting People to Do Things: Oftentimes, the most challenging aspect of a project is the coordination of individuals who have their own busy schedules. As mentioned above, if you require something from anyone, make the task feel real and set a definite date that is within reason. Offer to meet that day or in the next few days if they require more information. Always be polite and show gratitude. No Response: This can be an issue at all stages. Faculty may not respond for many reasons, but a common one is that the last email you sent required some time/effort to respond to, and even though they intended to respond, they did not do so immediately, and then moved that email far down on their list of things to get done in the future. To avoid this, make sure all emails/messages can be answered with short responses, such as “Yes”, “No”, or “Looks Great”. If a more complicated answer is required, use the strategies listed above to set up a meeting, preferably within the next day or two. Furthermore, try to have each of your emails contain something of substance, such as a draft of the abstract or manuscript you are working on. Seeing an attached Word document is a great incentive for someone to actually read the email. As always, keep in mind that there are many other reasons faculty and residents would stop responding. One or two follow-up messages may be all it takes to get things moving, but be ready to accept that the project may go nowhere. Authorship: This is a delicate topic and must be approached as such. First authorship is highly desirable and may become a point of contention within a team. As a medical student, there is un- fortunately not much that can be done if your own perceived level of contribution does not match the determined byline. However, it is always best to read the room, and only you can advocate for yourself if you feel strongly about this issue. As always, be polite, grateful, and do not go in with any expectations. Also, know that “Equal Contributions” exists for published works, and this can be a useful suggestion to bring up if needed. Like anything else, communicating your feelings and having an actual conversation as human beings is the best way to get around this issue.